Court Says Yahaya Bello’s Passport Not in it’s Custody, Adjourns Case

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has clarified that the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in the custody of her court, but rather with the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The clarification came during the resumed hearing on Thursday in the money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge explained that since the travel document is not before her court, it would be pointless to entertain an application for its release.

She stated, “Even if the request to retrieve the travel passport were to be granted, it would be of no effect since the passport was not in the custody of the court but before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.”

Bello is currently facing similar criminal charges at both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja. His legal team had applied for the release of his passport on health grounds to enable him to travel abroad.

His lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), confirmed during the proceedings that the passport being sought is not held by the FCT court. The court had earlier ordered that the defendant’s travel documents be deposited with the court registry, but the defence stated in its new application that the documents are with the Federal High Court.

Following her ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continuation of hearing.